Gemma Atkinson says Gorka is 'never here' as she gives Strictly Come Dancing update

has said partner is 'never here' once starts filming. The mum-of-two shares five-year-old daughter Mia and 17-month-old son Thiago with the professional dancer.

Opening up about their eight-year relationship on the Parenting Hell podcast, the 40-year-old radio host and former and star revealed how she reacts every time the Strictly line-up is announced at the end of the year.

Speaking about 34-year-old Spanish dancer Gorka's packed schedule once the show kicks off in the summer, Gemma explained: "He's never here. It's Strictly from July to December. If they get a partner, they're based where their partner is in the week. Obviously London at the weekend."

But while the 'Strictly curse' hangs over many couples, Gemma admits she doesn't care which celeb husband-to-be Gorka - who she got engaged to in 2022 - is partnered with, she's more bothered where in the country they are based. She said: "So every time the line-up's announced, all I do, I think, I don't care who it is, I just where they live. If they're in Manchester, I'm like, 'great'."

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Last week, Gorka exclusively told the that despite his glittering career, he often struggles with juggling that and his family life with Gemma and the kids. He admitted: "Let's be honest, it's not easy."

He continued: "It's about making the right choices. When I was in my 20s, it was just about me, me, me. It's easier because you kind of don't have anything to worry about more than yourself. When you have a partner and children, sometimes work is great. I always say, there's a difference between living for work and work for living.

"Now when I work, I work for living and have a good life with my family and kids. The only thing we cannot get back is time. Time flies and kids grow up very quickly. It's about making the right choice.

"I'm saying no to things because as amazing as it could be, you need to work out if it's worth it being that far away or for a long period of time away from the kids and miss so many things that will never come back. You can find another job or make money somewhere else but sometimes, quality time and time with family is not worth half the price."

Gorka had only been on Strictly for a year before he met Gemma in 2017. Though they were not partnered together, love blossomed behind the scenes and the pair went public with their relationship on 2018.

A year later they welcomed daughter Mia, followed by son Thiago in 2023, who turns two later this year. As well as being grateful for his career on Strictly, Gorka says it also brought him his family.

He gushed: "I got the opportunity to do Strictly, which led me to meet Gemma, which now means I have a beautiful family. We are happy together, we have two beautiful kids and Strictly's still part of my life. It's something that brought my job to meet Gemma and create a family. Without Strictly, I wouldn't be what I am now, professionally and personally – I'm very grateful."

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